Jens Voigt (RadioShack Leopard) is without doubt one of the most popular men in the peloton, and even at the age of 41 with 17 professional seasons under his belt, he still only says he's "very, very probably" retiring after 2013.
While never as outwardly ostentatious as some other cycling superstars, the affable German is still well aware of his role as an "entertainer", putting on a show at the People's Choice Classic before the start of this year's Santos Tour Down Under.
The end of such an illustrious career would seem the perfect justification for a wild commemorative paint job from the team's bike sponsor, Trek. But, for now at least (we're certainly keeping our eyes open later in the year), Voigt is on his standard team issue Madone 7 Series, albeit with a big decal on the top tube celebrating his time in the sport.
Among the impressive statistics listed on the top tube are an estimated 805,000km ridden, 64 wins, 11 broken bones, and 25 screws – and that's only as of the end of last season, before Voigt's birthday in September.
While perhaps lacking in flair, Voigt's latest Madone is nonetheless equipped with the company's latest arsenal of technology. Most notable is the Kamm Tail truncated airfoil tube shaping throughout, which supposedly reduces aerodynamic drag to the tune of 25 watts of rider effort at 40km/h (or two minutes per hour) relative to the old Madone.
Trek have also made a radical change in braking, with both ends adopting Shimano's new direct mount dual-pivot standard. The rear caliper has moved beneath the chain stays, just behind the bottom bracket, which leaves the seat stays strikingly bare – and bridgeless – for what Trek says is a more comfortable ride.
Otherwise, the usual Madone hallmarks remain, including the 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in tapered head tube, the extra-wide BB90 bottom bracket shell with press-fit bearings, and the integrated seatmast custom-made for the team with a bonded-on number plate holder. We've seen RadioShack Leopard team bikes equipped with stouter stainless steel derailleur hangers in the past, but at the Tour Down Under Voigt's bike was fitted with a standard aluminum unit.
In case Jens needs a reminder of his 17 years in the pro peloton…
The build kit is very straightforward. The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group is the older version, as is the case with nearly every Shimano-sponsored rider we've seen so far. It's joined by an SRM power meter and a full complement of Bontrager gear, including the Aeolus 5 carbon tubular wheels, the molded carbon fiber Race XXX Lite stem, the Team Issue saddle, and a set of aluminum anatomic-bend RL handlebars positioned nearly 14cm of drop below the saddle, with the lever hoods a couple of centimeters further down.
Capping things off are a Cane Creek 110 integrated headset, Speedplay Zero Stainless pedals, and Schwalbe Ultremo HT tires in a new-school 25mm width.
Total weight as pictured is 7.68kg (16.93lb).
Complete bike specification
- Frame: Trek Madone 7 Series, 60cm H1
- Fork: Trek Madone KVF full carbon
- Headset: Cane Creek 110 integrated, 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in tapered
- Stem: Bontrager Race XXX Lite, 120mm x -7 degrees
- Handlebar: Bontrager Race Lite Anatomic, 44cm (c-c)
- Tape/grips: Bontrager cork
- Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace direct mount BR-9010
- Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace direct mount, Trek Madone-specific
- Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-7970
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-7970
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-7970
- Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-7970
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900, 11-25T
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7901
- Crankset: SRM Wireless PowerMeter DuraAce 7900 Compatible, 177.5mm, 53/39T
- Bottom bracket: Enduro XD-15
- Pedals: Speedplay Zero Stainless
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus 5 tubular
- Front tire: Schwalbe Ultremo HT tubular, 25mm
- Rear tire: Schwalbe Ultremo HT tubular, 25mm
- Saddle: Bontrager Team Issue
- Seatpost: Bontrager Ride Tuned Carbon
- Bottle cages: Trek Bat Cage (2)
- Computer: SRM PowerControl 7
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.9m (6ft 3in)
- Rider's weight: 77kg (170lb)
- Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 845mm
- Saddle setback: 85mm
- Seat tube length, c-c: 522mm
- Tip of saddle nose to c of bars: 616mm
- Saddle to bar drop (vertical): 138mm
- Head tube length: 180mm
- Top tube length: 591mm
- Total bicycle weight: 7.68kg (16.93lb)